Has Grace Got You?

My Saturday early morning walk with my two fur-friends before the blistering heat made its way to us, gave me these two photo opts. I saw this beautiful Grace Church in front of me and the street sign read: “Grace Street”. We turned east and ran into this morning glory of God’s grace shining through to us. My “inside voice” was singing Mercy Me’s song, “Grace Got You” that put a skip to the beat in my feet:

Have you ever met those who
Have you ever met those who
Keep humming when the song's through?
It's like they're living life to
A whole different tune.
And have you ever met those that
keep hoping when it's hopeless?
It's like they figured out / what the rest haven't yet.
The second when you realize / what you have inside
It's only just a matter of time / 'til you
Chorus:
Sing, so the back row hears you
Glide, 'cause walking just won't do
Dance, you don't have to know how to
Ever since, ever since grace got you
Laugh, 'til your whole side's hurting
Smile like you just got away with something
Why? 'Cause you just got away with something
Ever since, ever since grace got you

So when you're standing in the rain again
You might as well be dancing
Why? 'Cause there ain't no storm that
Can change how this ends
So, next time when you feel blue / Don't let that smile leave you
Why? 'Cause you have every reason just to....sing

For the uplifting beat and words that make you raise a praise to the Grace-Giver, check out the song here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xtiUjNT_vAM

I live in God’s grace. I just know it. We all do! No matter what kind of mistake we make, there is always a solution for restitution. It comes in the form of grace. God’s grace that heals and restores. He exchanges our tarnished slate, for a fresh, clean slate so we can begin again. Mistakes are inevitable, but the good news, as God’s repentant kids, all our mistakes are forgivable. That kind of grace is so amazing, God can even turn those mistakes to something good. Romans 8:28 “All things work together for good to those who love God and are called according to His purposes.” Most importantly, it reminds me that my God is bigger than my faults and weaknesses and He can turn anything around for His glory!

Maybe all kinds of stuff is being thrown at you -- like the media or your co-workers or your friends or family seem just too much to handle and it seems there’s no hope for tomorrow. I have good news for you. You are not alone. The ONE who created you and loves you and wants your life to be full of joy, peace and happiness…LIVES! And because He lives, your life is worth living. His grace will carry you through! Go ahead — tell tomorrow — “I’m alive. I live in the abundance of God’s grace and that grace HAS GOT ME!"

Do You Feel Like Quitting -- Already?

It’s just day four of 2019 and maybe you’re already feeling like quitting before you ever really get started on your New Year's resolutions. Actually, I’m eating one more bite of salted chocolate peppermint bark (yum), inwardly saying – “Just a few more days and I’ll turn over a new health leaf! But for now, too many other things to do and get done to focus on healthy eating!” I really do plan to get back to my quiet times with the Lord in the mornings, but “This morning I need to shorten it up because I have a meeting to get to AND I want to help get my daughter’s kitchen in her new home set up!” I plan on being more active physically, but “I’ll get after it once I have this obligation and this responsibility finished!”

And, so goes the aspirations and really good intentions. Each January I’m hit with the recognition of how utterly human I am. I become an idealist, I set a goal (or ten), and then I slack off. become disappointed, and then I give up. Take my journalling, for example. I’m on point for several days and then I go for days before I come back and stretch my brain to remember those days and what God and I did together. So far, I'm on point -- but it is only Day #4!

It’s true that January can act as a clean slate. A fresh new start. A new beginning. Old things are passed away and behold, all things are brand spanking new! That’s what we love about it, isn’t it? We’re all longing to be made new. But Jesus is teaching me that, with Him, each day — each moment — is a clean slate. We don’t have to force ourselves into a rigid routine, but instead, start to recognize His gentle and loving rhythms of grace.

Honestly, this first-of-the-year push to turn over new leaves – just reminds me that I need to get to my yard and rake up all those leaves that are huddled on my front porch and bushes. I am certain that this year I will have intentional intimate times of fellowship with my Lord and He will reveal sweet nuggets of gold from His Word to me. I am also certain there will be days when there is so much on my mind that I won’t give Him my best attention and I’ll miss some of those nuggets. I also know I won’t suddenly become an avid-never-missing-a-day of work-outs in the gym. I will not get all stressed out about when I’ll get this or that done, but I will take each day and complete all I can in it. I will stop to pick up a call from a friend who needs prayer. Right. This. Minute. She doesn’t need: “I’ll be praying for you!” She needs: "Let's pray right now and seek God for His wisdom."

Tomorrow I’ll wake up and my goal will be to spend quality time with my Lord. I might even get so caught up in my time with Him, I’ll forget about my “To Do” list that can be done later or even tomorrow. Oh. Wait. Tomorrow is Sunday and hip hip hooray – I’ll not miss that opportunity to be with Him at church. I’ll meet Him there when I see my friends. I’ll meet Him there in the songs we sing. I’ll meet Him there in partaking of His body and blood that gives me nourishment and strength. Maybe Monday – I will go back to the gym and, eventually, I’ll become more absolute in the importance of my health and strength and energy. Eventually, I will be so full of God’s Word in me, that I won’t be able to contain it all and I MUST do more than my blogging to get it all out of me.

Tomorrow I’ll wake up and my goal will be to spend quality time with my Lord. I might even get so caught up in my time with Him, I’ll forget about my “To Do” list that can be done later or even tomorrow. Oh. Wait. Tomorrow is Sunday and hip hip hooray – I’ll not miss that opportunity to be with Him at church. I’ll meet Him there when I see my friends. I’ll meet Him there in the songs we sing. I’ll meet Him there in partaking of His body and blood that gives me nourishment and strength. Maybe Monday – I will go back to the gym and, eventually, I’ll become more absolute in the importance of my health and strength and energy. Eventually, I will be so full of God’s Word in me, that I won’t be able to contain it all and I MUST do more than my blogging to get it all out of me.

Eventually, maybe tomorrow, I’ll be that gal who is so on purpose that all those goals and aspirations I put out there for this year will be as rhythmic and routine in my life, as brushing my teeth. But, in the meantime, I’ll thank God for His grace in sticking with my consistency AND inconsistency. Here’s to His grace that bears with me. Here’s to today – Day Four -and here’s to tomorrow – Day Four of a year that promises to be blessed and highly favored because of God’s amazing grace!

What is PUZZLING You?

Fun photo of my Larry and Staci working hard on a jigsaw puzzle together. Not! Not the puzzle because it was lying there waiting for attention, but asking these two, who were very busy working at their computers, to pretend they had the time on this day to find a few pieces and connect them. They helped me stage my inspiration for today's blog.

It isn’t out-of-the-ordinary for this family to have a jigsaw puzzle going at the end of their kitchen island. And I have been known to add to the continuation of the fun by gifting another one to them. I’m catering to my own enjoyment of finding a few pieces to add to the project when I stop by. But, this recent puzzle has been sitting on their island since I gifted it to them for Valentine’s. The border is done (that’s the easy part) with some added pieces, but progress has been slow with this one. Why?

This jigsaw puzzle is lenticular which means the image has an illusion of depth and changes when viewed from different angles. In other words, what I saw as a fun opportunity to expand our horizons, has become an “eye-sore” – literally. The way the light hits the variegated shiny pieces, you have to move your head back and forth to not only see the angles of the pieces to match a partner piece, but the colors are so skewed, your eyes get sore just looking at it. I offered to take the puzzle back, but, as in anything they do, they are up for the challenge! In the meantime, we are all puzzled by this puzzle!

Tomorrow, Ash Wednesday starts the season of Lent when we have the opportunity to work on the skewed, difficult-to-reason-out pieces of our lives – those “eye-sore” pieces and welcome this time of seeking God for a clean slate and being transformed to who He desires us to be. We will receive ashes on our foreheads, in the form of the cross. We will be thinking, “I welcome transformation. I welcome You, Lord, to cleanse and purify me as I approach Good Friday when your Son paid the ultimate price for me. I welcome Resurrection Sunday when I rose with Him into the abundant life He promised to give me as I walk faithfully with Him."

Yes, as with the jigsaw puzzle, life can present "puzzling" challenges and "puzzling" situations, but when we submit to His desires for us to be renewed and transformed, our Master Creator steps in and gives us His wisdom for handling the challenges and He'll be sure to help us finish OUR "life" puzzle with all pieces intact -- and it will be JUST as He planned it to be!

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:2

Do You Feel Like Quitting -- Already?

It’s just day three of 2019 and maybe you’re already feeling like quitting before you ever really get started on your New Year's resolutions. I plan on spending more time with the Lord in the mornings, but “This morning I need to shorten it up because I have a funeral to go to!" I plan on being more active physically, but “This fireplace feels so good and it's so cold outside! " I plan on starting a Bible Study or Life Group in my home this year, “But I need to really think that through because I know my schedule is so full already and besides my friends are all so busy. Who can add one more thing to their "plates"?”

And, so goes the aspirations and really good intentions. Each January I’m hit with the recognition of how utterly human I am. I become an idealist, I set a goal (or ten), and then I fail. I become disappointed, and then I give up. Take my journaling, for example. I’m on point for several days and then I go for days before I come back and squinch my brain to remember those days and what God and I did together.

It’s true that January can act as a clean slate. A fresh new start. A new beginning. Old things are passed away and behold, all things are brand spanking new! That’s what we love about it, isn’t it? We’re all longing to be made new. But Jesus is teaching me that, with Him, each day — each moment — is a clean slate. We don’t have to force ourselves into a rigid routine, but instead, start to recognize His gentle and loving rhythms of grace.

I am certain that this year I will have intentional sweet times of fellowship with my Lord and He will reveal sweet nuggets of gold from His Word to me. I am also certain there will be days when there is so much on my mind that I won’t give Him my best attention and I’ll miss some of those nuggets. I also know I won’t suddenly become an avid-never-missing-a-day of work-outs in the gym or the pool. And, that Bible Study…..I will not get all stressed out about when I’ll start it, but I plan on seeking God for His wisdom and for divine inspirations that will motivate me to “Start NOW!”.

Recognizing that my life doesn’t need to be a structured, rigid routine (although there is a time and place for that) but instead a rhythmic journey set to the tune of God’s grace, provides me with so much freedom.
I set a goal. There is His grace.
I fail. There is His grace.
I try again. There is His grace.

Tomorrow I’ll wake up and my goal will be to spend quality time with my Lord. I might even get so caught up in my time with Him, I’ll forget about my “To Do” list that can be done later or even tomorrow. Tomorrow I will go back to the pool or gym and, eventually, I’ll become more absolute in the importance of my health and strength and energy. Eventually, I will be so full of God’s Word in me, that I won’t be able to contain it all and I MUST do more than my blogging to get it all out of me and I’ll start that Bible Study even if it’s only me that shows up.

Eventually, maybe tomorrow, I’ll be that gal who is so on purpose that all those goals and aspirations I put out there for this year will be as rhythmic and routine in my life, as brushing my teeth. But, in the meantime, I’ll thank God for His grace in sticking with my consistency AND inconsistency. Here’s to His grace that bears with me. Here’s to today – Day Three and here’s to tomorrow – Day Four of a year that promises to be blessed and highly favored because of God’s amazing grace!

Happy NEW Year -- NEW is the Word of the Day

I was checking in with Headquarters (God – my CEO) on what my assignment for 2018 would be, and the message I received was "Word of the Day”. My blogging began in 2010 and it started with daily posts that spoke of the faithfulness of God during our roller coaster ride that sure had its ups and downs in it. That was the year my Sweetheart battled Stage 4 Kidney Cancer until he received his "eternal" ticket to ride to his finish line, and go to his home sweet home. In any case, it was the NEW beginning of my blogging and daily posting on Facebook.

The next year, 2011, I asked God for my NEW “widow’s” assignment, still desiring to serve God in the best way I knew how, and I received the words ‘’This is your mandate – every day provide a positive, uplifting and encouraging message the first thing in the morning so that others will have those thoughts to hold onto in their new day.” So, here I am, starting my ninth year of blogging, and I still love greeting each new day with words that have the potential of altering the course of someone’s otherwise negative start or finish to their day. Since the beginning, I’ve received all kinds of encouraging comments from my friends and family – you know who you are! God bless you for being my cheerleaders! From that time to this – I’ve purposed to post before 6 a.m. every morning – only adjusting if I’m in a location that doesn’t permit easy access to Wifi. A few years later, 2015 to be exact – my assignment was to find a photo inspiration for each day and to write my post based on that photo.

Now – with 2018 ahead of me, the message I received from Headquarters, is what I’ll be doing – seeking God for 365 words for 365 days of 2018. I’m making a conscious choice to focus on ONE word for each day – and I hope and pray the words God gives me are THE WORDS that will encourage you and give you added fuel for your daily faith journey. This year starts with the word, “NEW”.

There is just something about the start of a NEW year -- with a NEW journal or a NEW calendar. It's a clean slate. There’s something in us that naturally draws us toward fresh beginnings. 2017 was a doozey of a year for many its end brings the hope of a NEW start. I’m sure God engineered us for do-overs – fresh starts. Why would I start this year with NEW? Because even God seems to think new starts are pretty sweet. Here are some of God's "NEW" words from His WORD (the Bible), to help us enter into 2018 with a NEW beginning.

~~~ GOD MAKES US NEW: "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a NEW creation: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become NEW." 2 Corinthians 5:17

~~~ GOD GIVES US NEW SONGS OF PRAISE. “He put a NEW song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God." Psalm 40:3

~~~ GOD MAKES NEW WAYS FOR US “I am doing a NEW thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” Isaiah 43:19

~~~ GOD’S MERCIES ARE NEW EVERY MORNING. "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are NEW every morning; great is your faithfulness." Lamentations 3:22-23

We have a NEW year to be the best versions of ourselves that we can possibly be; NEW potential for achieving our goals; NEW clean slate to start fresh to show ourselves and others that we are a finisher – not a quitter; New will to overcome; NEW desires to trust God in the sun and in the rain; NEW goals to break OLD habits. It's time to begin again with NEW expectations of great NEW adventures and blessings up ahead. But most importantly to write some NEW stories that leave a NEW legacy for those who are following us -- a legacy of "I can" and "I will"!!

I’ve already started on my NEW chapter. At the end of 2018....I'll glance back at the victories won and the many, many NEW doors that opened up for me to great NEW opportunities! Today, I close the door to the past, open the door to the future, I take a deep breath, step on through and start a NEW chapter of my life. How about you?

Thinking Back and Looking Forward

It's the 365th day of 2017. I made it!!! 365 days of posting a positive word for my FB friends and family. After all, there's enough negativity in social media with politics (Phew – what a year that’s been!), the weather, the economy, the relationships or disappointments many vent about. Once upon a time, I didn't want to be on social media because of those reasons, but I sensed God was calling me to bring some sunshine to a world that can be quite dark, and then my thoughts and words would, hopefully, bring inspiration to others. I can't begin to adequately explain how rewarded I feel for staying true to my commitment. Purposefully, I've had to make sure to stay "in the zone" by seizing the moments, noticing little and big God-encounters, recognizing that God is always speaking. I just had to tune in to His still small voice, and, often, His big booming voice as I witnessed His illustrated messages to me through nature, His Word, His kids and His embrace. The fact is, I showed up for my daily appointment with God, and He was faithful and true to His promises. .He ALWAYS showed up for me.

I'm not sure what this new year will look like, not only in my commitment to daily posts and blogs, but in life overall. One thing I do know for sure. .I know WHO knows and I'm excited for the journey that awaits me. There will be many opportunities for FB posts and writing my daily blogs because I'm very aware that God has many more exciting adventures and trails for me to blaze in this new year. So, I'll continue to be on daily assignment.

This New Year's Eve is entirely different for me as Ryan and Shawntel switched up their annual after-Christmas day to New Year’s day “honeymoon” trip. They’ll be going next weekend instead. So my two little men (my annual New Year’s Eve dates) won’t be with me and we won’t be shooting off little fireworks or watching the giant sphere of sparkles descend in Times Square and won’t be up to our usual New Year’s Eve antics together like the 16 years previously. I’m okay with the switch-up as it gives me the opportunity to be in church tonight with my Frisco Family. I love the thought that I’ll be praising and praying the new year in with other believers. What a great way to kick off the new year!

A new year -- new hope for our future. There is something inherit within us that craves a new fresh start -- a chance to make wrongs right, and good things even greater. The promise of a clean slate is thrilling. I've already begun to think about new horizons, new seasons, and new adventures. My personal motto will continue to be "I'm still here....so I'm not done." I know that God will give me courage to face each new day and the best part, His mercies will be new each morning.

The great news is that God is the author of 2018! He knows each and every twist and turn that is up ahead, both for you and for me. He has planned 2018 down to the minutest detail—all with the goal for our good. Look out, 2018 -- HERE WE COME! Let the GREAT ADVENTURES begin!!!

Time to Register for Cross Training

On New Year's Day, I heard this said:: "This is going to be your best year ever, but keep in mind, though you may be going in with a clean slate, you're still taking some of the "old" in with you. You still take YOU!"

That's a wake-up call, isn't it? It's awe-inspiring to think that the old stuff -- the negative circumstances, the mistakes and failures, the overwhelming and the underwhelming situations are over with, because we think "2017 is going to be different. Good things are coming my way this year! 2017 is going to be MY greatest year EVER!" But, once again, what has changed in you AND me, that guarantees a better year?

Bottom line...we probably need to undergo some tweaking with our attitudes, our outlooks, our overspending, our carelessness, our tempers, our giving (or the lack thereof), and our heartfelt appreciation for how blessed we really are.

The way for the most guaranteed-for-success-outcome, is to lean into the ONE who will make the most significant difference in our 2017. Rather than God being simply a casual acquaintance to us and only when we need Him that we call on Him, we should make Him the CENTER of everything...our finances, our relationships, our health, our character, and our devotion. To be fully devoted followers of Christ, makes the difference. How often do we just "sprinkle" a little Jesus into our day by a mere glance at Him. But when we understand that He is the difference maker in everything about our lives. When it really dawns on us that He lives inside us and, when we rely on Him for the best decisions to make, the kindest attitude to others, the character that does the right thing when no one is looking, and seriously consider our actions by submitting our emotions to Him, saying "I'm not responding that way any more.

Luke 2:52 says that the young Jesus "grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man." Now that's what I'm talking about. Though we leave the past mistakes and all the negatives in the past, because we bring ME, MYSELF and I into the new year, wouldn't it be a great idea to determine that "THIS YEAR, I will do some CROSS TRAINING and grow in wisdom and stature and favor with God and man." We do that -- not just by sprinkling a little Jesus on our lives....but all out making Him the Lord of our lives and purposing to surrender our "old" selves to Him, obey Him and His Word, and live with all out gusto of being, not sprinkled, but FLOODED with the Great I AM!!!

Because He Lives, I Can Face Today AND Tomorrow

The hullabaloo about New Year’s Eve celebrations has ended for another year….well, except for many of us who are still sharing how we commemorated 2017’s debut. Unlike so many that entered into 2017 with a gnarly hangover, I heard about New Year’s Eve church services where those in attendance heard messages about the possibilities that await us all in this new year, and then they celebrated the new year in by praying and praising God for the lessons of the past and the hopes for the future. Now, that's getting the new year off to a great start!

How beautiful that sounded compared to those who are still ranting in the news and social media about Mariah Carey’s performance (or the lack thereof) on “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve" It seems she was lip syncing her songs – which isn’t unusual because technical issues are an enormous challenge in an outdoor concert anyway, but the technical difficulties with her earpiece has now dubbed her performance as “disastrous”, “the diva strikes out again”, and so many other hurtful words spoken by folks who could stand some “oil of kindness” in their little light lanterns.

Honestly, my heart went out to Mariah, after all, she was one of my young daughter's voice role models. But more importantly, she is one of God's kids, who, like so many of us, have made some mistakes, and maybe it’s not always our fault, but we, too, get crushed for failing at something that we really hoped to have succeeded at.

Mariah can decide whether to let what now is her past, define her…..and so can we. It’s so easy to fixate on yesterdays and yesteryears and the guilts associated with mistakes we may have made. Mistakes can be as little as an “oopsie” or as big as a huge blunder -- an “ouchie" or a devastating "OMG" catastrophe that alters the course of our lives. No matter what kind of mistake we made or make, there is always a solution for restitution. It comes in the form of grace. God’s grace that heals and restores, and He exchanges our tarnished and warped slate, for a fresh, clean slate so we can begin again.

Mistakes are inevitable, but the good news, as God’s repentant kids, all our mistakes are forgiveable. That kind of grace is literally so amazing, that God can even turn those mistakes to something good. Romans 8:28 "All things work together for good to those who love God and are called according to His purposes." Most importantly, it reminds me that my God is bigger than my faults and weaknesses and He can turn anything around for His glory!

Here’s the deal…..the past is gone and this day and this year are before us like the birth of a newborn baby with so much possibility and potential in his future.

I say this to you AND to Mariah today. Maybe all the stuff that is being thrown at you today from the media, your friends and family seem just too much to handle and it seems there's no hope for tomorrow. I have such good news for you. You are not alone. The ONE who created you and loves you and wants your life to be full of joy, peace and happiness.....HE LIVES. He holds your todays and tomorrows! That means, BECAUSE HE LIVES, your life is worth living!!! Go ahead -- tell tomorrow -- "I'm alive, I'm still here, God's not done with me -- and I'm going to be resilient, unstoppable and determined to MAKE IT!

The Best Part of a New Year? A Clean Slate!

A happy and blessed 2017 is my prayer for all of my FB friends and family today! Being the body-guard for my two youngest grandsons was no less charged with anticipation and celebration than any other year for the last twelve years. We had lots of fun making videos (or should I say, Brennan made videos). Yesterday, New Year's Eve, I picked up our low-risk fireworks, decorated with our elaborate New Years decor', shopped for our gourmet treats, made Granny's chocolate cake, and held back the troops from taking over the loot for as long as I could by encouraging them to decorate their gingerbread houses. Based on their lack of desire for artistic finesse, we won't be entering them in a Gingerbread House competition any time soon. Having big brother Barrett with us this year was a real treat! Our low budget celebration wasn't a disappointment at all!

It was our annual night of waving good-bye to 2016 and celebrating in style -- the clean, fresh slate of 2017. Having mediated a brothers' conflict during the day, I had the opportunity of an object lesson based on "clean slates". In conflict resolution, it's best to propose an option that provides forgiveness of oneself while forgiving others. That was the case when I mentioned to the boys that "today marks the ending of the past, and at midnight we can start with a clean slate of love and forgiveness".

The boys popped some little firecrackers, we wore our Happy New Year hats, blew our celebratory horns, then we toasted each other with Sparkling Grape Juice. We watched the giant ball of sparkles descend in Times Square, prayed the New Year in together.and gave each other lots of hugs and kisses.

Now, an entire year of awesomeness awaits us. The squares on our 2017 calendars are blank, but very soon those squares will be filled with a host of activities, events, ceremonies, birthdays, anniversaries and exciting opportunities for experiencing a year of great conquests, victories, and adventures.

There's something quite exciting about a clean slate, starting fresh, opportunities for "do-overs". We'll set new goals, resolutions, and hope for some major life-changes. Each new day in our new year will be as fresh and white as new snow. Each and every day starts with God's fresh mercy and new grace. And those new days don't come in with the fanfare of this 1st day of the year. Typically, our days dawn quietly and peacefully -- a sunrise introduces us to our new day, and reminds us that God has given us another day to make a difference in our world.. We'll hear birds chirping, which makes us very aware of God's care for them -- and how much more does He care for us?

We don't know what tomorrow holds -- or this new year holds -- but one thing we do know -- HE KNOWS and HE holds our tomorrows and, better yet, He holds our hands and is with us through them all. Our future is so bright. Let's purpose to wake each day to the prospects of what each day will hold by Him Who knows everything about everything -- and with that kind of ADVISOR -- if we pay close attention -- He'll guide us into making 2017 to be our best, most blessed year EVER!

#HappyNewYear

How Can I Forgive and Forget?

How Can I Forgive and Forget?
A friend emailed me yesterday about “forgiving” and “forgetting”. It blessed me. How often do we get hurt by someone, or even, we’re the someone who hurt someone? We keep beating ourselves up about our mistakes, do our best to forgive ourselves and others, but still those mistakes we made or others made, just continue to linger with us. The past still plays havoc with our minds and we tend to carry the weight of those mistakes for way longer than we need to.

My friend attached this song to her email and I played it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZVjKrmvYYQ
I sensed the sweet presence of God as the words filled the room. I knew I needed to make this my post for today.

Our "Life Story" book is being written daily. The words on the pages may be words like: “You failed again. You lied again. You messed up again. You spoke those hateful words again. You’re a failure. You’re hopeless. You’ll never get over those mistakes.” But, then we go to God and admit our failures, we express our sorrow for the times we messed up. We ask for forgiveness. And the next thing we know…..we pick up our "Life Story" book and open the pages……and, incredibly, those pages are all blank. And, we realize God has wiped the slate clean – the pages in our book are blank. 2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come. The old has gone. The new is here.”

The TV screen in our minds is filled with words like “He hurt you again. She lied about you. He broke your heart. Never speak to her again. They’re no good. He is a loser. She doesn’t deserve your friendship.” But, then we go to God and ask Him to love through us. We ask for His heart to forgive in spite of whether or not they deserve forgiveness. We ask God to heal our minds from the hurt they caused. The next thing we know…..the TV screen is blank. Then we realize God has freed us from the pain that others caused us and we come to know that forgiveness is possible because of the price God’s Son paid on Calvary. He was our example as he prayed, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34) “And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.” (Mark 11:25)

Listen to this song -- and where forgiveness is needed to today -- either for yourself or someone else -- know God's arms are open wide to forgive AND forget. The lyrics go like this:

"The past is playing with my head and failure knocks me down again.
I’m reminded of the wrong, that I have said and done,
And that devil just won't let me forget in this life.
I know what I’ve been, but I'm here in Your arms,
I know what I am -- I’m forgiven. I’m forgiven.
And I don’t have to carry the weight of who I’ve been
'Cause I’m forgiven.

My mistakes are running through my mind,
And I’ll relive my days in the middle of the night.
When I struggle with my pain, wrestle with my pride.
Sometimes I feel alone and I cry.
And in this life I know what I’ve been.
But here in your arms I know what I am
Well, I’m forgiven. I’m forgiven
And I don’t have to carry the weight of who I’ve been
'Cause I’m forgiven."

An Entire Year of Awesomeness Awaits Us

Happy 2016!   An Entire Year of Awesomeness Awaits Us
Our brand new year is officially here with its clean slate to start fresh and new, and my two boys and I celebrated each time zone from East coast to West coast.

Packed into our last day of the year was seeing Star Wars again, but this time in 3D, recliner seats -- all cozy comfy and we were just as enamored as we were the first time we saw it.  Then to Chuck E Cheese for a little game play before heading home for our traditional photo-opts and Brennan, the Producer's, latest movie.

We toasted to the new year in style with our sparkling grape juice.  We watched the giant ball of sparkles descend in Times Square, had lots of goodies to eat,  and we prayed the New Year in together for those who lived in each time zone we celebrated.  

We celebrated with dancing, hoverboard antics, fireworks, laughing, and hugging!   As has been the tradition for 14 years now, hanging with my boys makes New Year's Eve a night to remember.  Best dates a gal could have....at least at this season of my life. ;-)

One thing we ALL have in common, rich or poor — is the desire for a blessed and successful new year. Reflecting over 2015, I ask myself, "Did I really embrace each day, taking time to 'smell the roses' -- being 'present' in the moments and to cherish the people in my life -- and when I'm with them -- to be 'with them' -- without distractions?" I've thought a lot about that during the visit with my family in Texas and here in Washington -- really cherishing these times.

You've probably seen my postings about that.   In reality, every day should be treated as a gift from God and we should cherish each one with thanksgiving. We can't change the past, but we can always determine to celebrate each new day in our todays and tomorrows as the days God made for us and to determine to use our time wisely, with the purpose of LIVING every moment, LAUGHING every day, and LOVING beyond words....after all, we will NEVER have these moments again!

Our future is so bright. Let's purpose to wake each day to the prospects of what each day will hold by Him Who knows everything about everything -- and with that kind of ADVISOR -- if we pay close attention -- He'll guide us into making 2016 to be our best, most blessed year EVER!  A happy and blessed 2016 is my prayer for all of my FB friends and family today!

An Entire Year of Awesomeness Awaits Us

Day 1 of  Photo Inspirations -- An Entire Year of Awesomeness Awaits Us
A happy and blessed 2015 is my prayer for all of my FB friends today!   Being with my  two youngest grandsons made New Year's Eve so special.  We had lots of fun making videos (or should I say, Brennan made videos).

The day before, we "undressed" the Christmas tree, but yesterday we made lots of homemade ornaments for next year's tree, and dressed this tree up again.  We had a plan for New Year's Eve.

The boys popped little fire-crackers, we wore our Happy New Year hats and blew the horns,

we toasted each other with Sprite, we watched the giant ball of sparkles descend in Times Square, we had lots of goodies to eat, a cute movie to watch, got to Skype with the boys' Mommy & Daddy, and we prayed the New Year in together, and I stole some kisses from my boys.

Now, an entire year of awesomeness awaits us.  The squares on our 2015 calendars are blank, but very soon those squares will be filled with lots of activities, events, ceremonies, birthdays, anniversaries and lots of opportunities for lexperiencing a year of great conquests, victories, and adventures.

There's something quite exciting about a clean slate, starting fresh, opportunities for "do-overs".  We'll set new goals, resolutions, and hope for some major life-changes.

Each new day in our new year will be as fresh and white as new snow.  Each and every day starts with God's fresh mercy and new grace.  And those new days don't come in with the fanfare of this 1st day of the year.  Typically, our days dawn quietly and peacefully -- a sunrise introduces us to our new day, and reminds us that God has given us another day to make a difference in our world..  We'll hear birds chirping, which makes us very aware of God's care for them -- and how much more does He care for us?  

We don't know what tomorrow holds -- or this year holds -- but one thing we do know -- HE KNOWS and HE holds our tomorrows and, better yet, He holds our hands and is with us through them all.  Our future is so bright. Let's purpose to wake each day to the prospects of what each day will hold by Him Who knows everything about everything -- and with that kind of ADVISOR -- if we pay close attention -- He'll guide us into making 2015 to be our best, most blessed year EVER!
#HappyNewYear

They Gave....Then Bowed Down and Worshipped Him

"On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him."

The Magi (Wise Men) worshipped -- and brought very costly gifts to the newborn King. The gifts were gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Not such practical gifts, but most definitely...valuable gifts.

A gold brick in today’s time is worth about $485,000. In the time of Christ, it would have probably been even more valuable. The spices (frankincense and myrrh) were also very valuable, and costly.  Those gifts probably sustained the Holy Family for many years to come.

Love gives. "For God SO LOVED the world that He GAVE His only Son...." John 3:16. That's what God does. He gives. When we love, we give. We just can't help ourselves. He demonstrated His love. We demonstrate our love.

Oh, how I loved GIVING to my children and, especially, my grandchildren, this Christmas.   Watching their faces light up with anticipation of what was inside that wrapping, was my delight.  And seeing their sweet beaming faces as I opened my gifts from them.

And, isn't that joyful nature of giving and receiving straight from God's heart?   A group of wise men once travelled far and long (two years) to give young Jesus some gifts.
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But Jesus gave them, and us, back so much more -- an even greater gift.  He came here to this earth ON PURPOSE -- to give to us the gift of a clean slate before God. He gave us the gift of forgiveness and a pardon from ever having to pay for the mistakes we make.

All we have to do is receive and take the gift. And once we do, we won't be able to help ourselves -- we will want to give back to Him in worship with everything we are and everything we have. We honor Him and worship Him. When we experience His love, like the Maji,we MUST give and we MUST worship Him.